21 HRS AGO - Spurs on course to finish above rivals for fourth year in rowManager says ‘it would not be bad’ to win third Europa LeagueJosé Mourinho said that he wanted to secure Europa League qualification for Tottenham from the final games of the season after watching his team edge to a come-from-behind derby win over Arsenal.The manager knows that Spurs are set fair to finish above their rivals for a fourth season in a row after a 2-1 home victory on Sunday thanks to Toby Alderweireld’s late winner. Previously, Arsenal had finished above Spurs for 21 years in succession. But what he is after is European football and, if it is not to be the Champions League, he would be happy to enter the Europa League. Related: Toby Alderweireld punishes Arsenal errors to give Spurs derby glory Continue reading... Collapse

23 HRS AGO - José Mourinho had said that he could not wait for the season to finish and, given the gloomy mood that shadowed Tottenham into this derby and the state of the Premier League table, it was easy to see why. Yet there was a dose of unexpected cheer at the expense of their in-form neighbours when Spurs found a way to turn the tide of a second-half that seemed to be slipping away from them.The decisive blow was struck late on by Toby Alderweireld, who rose to flick Son Heung-min’s corner into the roof of the net. Defensively, Arsenal broke down – why was Kieran Tierney marking Alderweireld? – but Spurs had done enough. It was not a vintage performance from them yet Mourinho would not have cared. He needed this and what it meant was plain. At full-time, the Spurs substitute goalkeeper, Paulo Gazzaniga, hammered a ball high into the sky and there were big hugs from Mourinho for his staff. Continue reading... Collapse

1 DAY AGO - It’s hard not to feel we’ve have seen this all before and know how it plays out. The sense is the endgame has begunAs they prepare for the north London derby on Sunday, who would you rather be: Arsenal or Tottenham? For the past four years, it wasn’t a question that required much consideration. Even in 2015-16, when Arsenal last finished above Spurs, it felt freakish. The trajectories of the two clubs seemed clear: Spurs were rising, replete with gifted young players and blessed with a charismatic manager whose ideas were notably modern, while Arsenal were sinking in the dotage of a managerial great whose best years were behind him but whose departure would inevitably bring turbulence.Arsène Wenger’s retirement in 2018 did lead to chaos – or perhaps more accurately, exposed the chaos that was already there. With Ivan Gazidis and Sven Mislintat leaving, only Raul Sanllehi remains of the triumvirate who were supposed to replace him. Major concerns remain about recruitment and Collapse

4 DAYS AGO - It’s funny how little time it takes to get used to winning? Only three wins against varying strengths of opposition, none of which is in the top four but still it sent me out into the post lockdown world with a reassuring sense of wellbeing — if this was going to be the new normal […] Collapse

5 DAYS AGO - Nketiah sent off 10.44pm BST “We started the game very well but then for about 15-20 minutes the game became a little bit basketball. There was too much space and we didn’t quite press it well enough. We just needed to come together and reinforce a couple of items without the ball. I thought we were outstanding in the second half. much quicker with the ball and connected our play well. I thought we were the better team even when it was 11 v 11. ... We got a deserved goal and if we’d made the final pass a little cleaner, we could have gone on and won the game. But we’ll take a point, it could be a very important one.” 10.41pm BST “I’m extremely proud of our team and the way we played against this type of opposition. How dominate we were. In the first half clearly we should have gone 3-0 or 4-0 up and kill the game... We have to learn that when we play agianst this type of opposition, you have to kill them.Arteta also says that an unspecified Leicester player should have been sent off Collapse

6 DAYS AGO - Talks continue with midfielder’s parent club Real MadridFurther loan agreement or player swaps are a possibility Mikel Arteta has said he would like to keep Dani Ceballos at Arsenal beyond this season and that talks are continuing with the midfielder’s parent club, Real Madrid, about a deal.Ceballos has shaken off a mixed start to his loan in north London, which included two months out with a muscle problem, to play an important role in the side’s recent revival. He scored a late winner in the FA Cup quarter-final at Sheffield United last week and his run of form has coincided with Arsenal winning four matches in a row for the first time in 2019-20. Arteta had urged him in January to “take a step forwards” and now appears convinced of his longer-term potential. Related: Mikel Arteta fires warning over bows of Matteo Guendouzi and Mesut Özil Continue reading... Collapse

04/07/2020 - Bukayo Saka scored his first Premier League goal as Arsenal maintained their upward momentum at the expense of Wolves 7.43pm BST Paul Doyle was at Molineux to see Arsenal continue their late dash for European qualification. Here’s his report. Click and enjoy ... and thanks for reading this MBM. Stay healthy, everyone. Related: Bukayo Saka hooks home to reel in Wolves and cast new hope for Arsenal 7.41pm BST Nuno Espirito Santo is philosophical in defeat. “The first half was balanced, there were not too many chances, with the exception of one moment when we lost a bit of focus and Arsenal scored. In the second half we started better, with more pressing, creating chances. But as the game goes by, Arsenal became dangerous on the counter attack. It was not one of our best games, but the work was there, and let’s go for the next one. Mistakes happen, we have to solve it. We have to bounce back and reinvent ourselves. Back to our clean sheet and our process!” 7.37pm BST Bukayo Saka, who Collapse

03/07/2020 - Manager outlines standards Arsenal players have to meet‘They must be 100% committed to our culture’Mikel Arteta has outlined the standards Matteo Guendouzi, Mesut Özil and any other wayward Arsenal players have to meet if they are going to play long-term roles under his management, reminding them that they must be “100% committed to our culture”.Guendouzi has missed the past three matches through what Arteta has termed “internal issues”, and the head coach warned that “some things have to change, and nothing has changed” when asked about his player after Wednesday’s win over Norwich. Özil has missed out since the top flight’s resumption through, variously, Arteta’s volition and a mystery knee injury. Questioned about their absences last week, Arteta explained anyone who wanted to “jump on the boat” would be welcome to work under him and he elaborated on the maritime metaphor before Saturday’s crucial match at Wolves. Related: Can Manchester United sustain revival under Ole Gunnar Collapse

01/07/2020 - Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang accepted two gifts, while Granit Xhaka and Cedric Soares also scored in Arsenal's comfortable 4-0 win over Norwich 8.06pm BST I shall leave you, now, with Barney Ronay’s match report from the Emirates. Thanks for joining me today! Related: Aubameyang doubles up for Arsenal to push Norwich closer to drop 8.04pm BST Aubameyang speaks! “Really proud [of his goal return] but first of all I’m really proud of the team, we deserved to win and did a great job. My performance was I think good and I’m always happy to help the team win.”Will he sign a new deal? 8.02pm BST Other scoresEverton 2-1 Leicester 7.59pm BST “I am very happy to see my team, Arsenal, do a good job today,” writes Paul Chintingiza, in Mozambique. Great to hear from you Paul and thanks for your company – we don’t often hear from readers in Mozambique. 7.56pm BST Arsenal are seventh – for now, because Spurs and Sheffield United have games in hand – and six points behind Wolves & Manchester Collapse